More Sakura Taisen For PS2

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Sega announces new and old titles.

By Anoop Gantayat

At a press conference held today in Tokyo's Roppongi district, Sega revealed its upcoming plans for the popular Sakura Taisen series of Japan-only character-based titles. The plans include game and non-game properties.

First, what was already known. Following the late-September release of Sakura Taisen V: Episode 0, the company plans on releasing Sakura Taisen 4 for the PC in Fall of this year. The Summer of next year will see the release of Sakura Taisen V for the PS2.

Today, the company revealed that it will release Sakura Taisen 3 for the PS2 in Spring of next year. Additionally, the company plans on bringing the PS2 another all-new entry in the series, the tentatively titled Sakura Taisen Monogatari: Teito Chapter.

Sakura Taisen 3 and its successor, Sakura Taisen 4, were originally released for the Dreamcast. In moving the series to the PS2, Sega released a full-blown remake of the Sega Saturn Sakura Taisen 1, but left the rest of the games as is. The release of part 3 on the PS2 will give PS2 owners a better chance at getting to know the crew of the Pari-kagekidan.

Sakura Taisen Monogatari serves as a slight "gaiden" side story to the series, ditching the strategy battles present in the main titles for full conversation and love simulation elements. The first entry in this series, Mysterious Paris, saw Japanese release earlier this year and let players return to the Paris setting of Sakura Taisen 3. The new Teito Chapter entry was actually announced along side Mysterioua Paris a couple of years back, and as the name should suggest, will bring the story back to Tokyo, the setting of the first two titles.

Sega has other plans for the series in addition to these games. A CD compilation for the series will go on sale on 12/8. A DVD for the latest Sakura Taisen live performance act will go on sale on 12/22. Finally, the end of the year will see the latest dinner show (a pricey event designed for the mega hardcore fans).

All this is, of course, only for Japan, but, being that we're such fans, we'll continue to bring Sakura enthusiasts as much info as we can.